Novelty shoe tree for children



Jan. 1, 1952 FELDMAN 2,580,746

NOVELTY SHOE TREE FOR CHILDREN Filed NOV. 18, 1949 INVENTOR.

k I HERMAN FELDMAN Patented Jan. 1, 1952 NOVELTY SHOE TREE FOR CHILDREN Herman Feldman, Forest Hills, N. Y., assignor to Jules Golden, Bronxville, N. Y.

h Application November 18, 1949, Serial No. 128,056

1 Claim. (01. 12-1284) This invention relates to novelty shoe tree means for training children to care for their shoes.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of novelty shoe tree means which will assist in the training of children to use the same by making the usage thereof pleasurable.

One other object of the invention is the provision of a novelty figure such as an animal or clown having mounted thereon shoe trees for childrens shoes.

Another object of the invention is to construct said shoe trees so that the heel portions thereof comprisenthe feet of the figure so that when shoes are mounted thereon they encase the feet of the figure and it appears that the figure is wearing the shoes.

A further object of the invention is to construct said figure so as to permit the same standing erect on any suitable surface whether or not shoes are mounted on the shoe trees thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to construct said figure in such manner and of such materials as to provide for the facile and economical manufacture thereof.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the novelty shoe tree means of the invention with certain parts removed more clearly to show the construction.

Fig. 2 is an edge view of said means.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view similanto Fig. 1, but with a shOe held in place on the shoe tree, said shoe being shown diagrammatically in dash lines.

Fig 4 is a perspective detail view of a portion of the device.

Fig. 5 is an edge view similar to Fig. 2 but with a shoe held in place on the shoe tree, said shoe being illustrated in phantom.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a modification of one of the elements of the device.

Before entering into a detailed description of the means of the invention it is deemed desirable first to describe the problem solved thereby.

It has been found that shoes retain their shape longer and consequently are usable for a longer period of time when they are mounted on shoe trees during those periods of time in which they are not worn on the feet. Children's shoes are Q particularly-prone to becoming misshapen due to the strains placed thereon-in playing. It is therefore of special importance that children's shoes be given the protection aiforded by mounting them on shoe trees when they are not in use.

fore, thetask of training children in this regard is'considerably lightened.

To this end the shoe trees of the invention are so designed that when a pair of shoes is mounted on them the shoes seem to be on the feet of an animal or a bear or the like. In the illustrated instance of the invention the shoe trees are mounted on and form part of a body ID in the form of a figurine (Fig. 1) of pressed board, plywood, sheet metal, plastic or the like cut out in the form of an upright elephant, the features, etc. of the elephant either being painted on the figurine or applied thereon by means of a plastic decalcomania, or byembossing.

Whereas in the present instance the figure of an elephant is utilized, it will be realized that any other figure pleasing to children could be utilized. However, it is necessary that the figure chosen terminate at its lower end in a pair of relatively narrow leg or foot portions H. These narrow portions H each fit into a lateral slot or notch l3 in a block l2 (see also Figs. 2 and 4) of wood or the like which forms a foot of the figure and also is an integral part of a shoe tree as will appear hereinafter. Also fitted into the notch [3 in each of the foot blocks 12 in front of the figurine is a leaf spring is (Figs. 1 and 2) of suitable material, said spring having secured to the surface of its upper end the usual shoe tree toe piece IS. The springs l4 each may be secured at its lower end by glue, rivets, screws or nails to one of the narow leg pieces I I and said leg piece and spring wedged into the notch I3 in a block I 2, or, the springs may be free of the figurine save for the compressing effect of the notches l3. To form the heel pieces for the shoe trees, the rear ends of the blocks 12 are rounded as at l8 (Fig. 4).

It is to be understood that the figurine including the toe piece may also be molded as one unit in three dimensions.

The construction is such that the figurine can, by means of the blocks 12, stand on any flat surface without additional support. The figurine may, however, be provided with a hole I! (Fig. 1) in the upper part thereof to allow its being suspended in some convenient location such as the inner face of a closet door.

When it is desired, to mount shoes on the shoe trees the toe pieces 15- are placed in the toes of the shoes and the springs l3 bent to the position shown in-Figs. 3 and 5 to allow the rounded edges I6 of the blocks I2 being slipped into the heels In this osition. the. sprin s it of the shoes. tension the blocks 12 and the toe pieces 15 in opposite directions into engagement with, the heel and toe portions respectively of the shoes. Thus the shoes are held rigidly in pkmegand the figurine can he stood upright on said shoes providing an slots opening to the top faces thereof, said slots being of a width corresponding to the combined thickness of the, material of said depending leg portions and the material of said leaf springs, said depending leg portions having their bottom ends secured in position in said slots against the material ofsaid blocks defining the rear walls of said slot, said leaf springs having their rear ends appearance that the shoes are being worn by the figurine.

It-will beseen, therefore, that the invention has provided novelty shoe tree means which will assist in the training of children to. use; the sameby making the usage thereof pleasurable.

In a modified form, the toe pieces: 15, instead of being positioned on the surface of the leaf spring M may each have: a notch or bore therein to receive the spring. It as shown in Fig. 6, the two parts being held together bymeans of a force fit, glue or; any other suitable means.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments. or my invention, it is to be understood that I do not. limit. myself 'to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the rightis reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I secured in position in said slots between the front faces of said depending leg portions and the material of said blocks defining the front walls of said slots.

HERMAN FELDMAN.

' REFERENCES. CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,000,250 Fraser Aug. 8, 1911 1,095,917 Nickl'ess May 5, 1914 1,429,506 Herr Sept. 19,1922 1,506,519 England Aug. 26, 1924 1,784,181 Demoucron Dec. 9. 1930 2,362,662 I Petersen et a1. Nov. 14, 1944 2,416,587 Lyngby Feb. 25, 1947 

